Check the terms of your employment contract

Summary

Your employer has to give you a written statement of the main terms of your employment contract. They should give you the written statement before you start work or on your first day. It might have ‘employment contract’ as the title. You’re entitled to a written statement if you’re an employee or a worker - including an agency worker. You might be an employee or worker even if your contract says you’re self-employed. You won’t get a written statement if you run a business and you work for a client. If you’re not sure if you’re an employee or a worker, check your employment status. The written statement must include information like: * the rules about sick leave and sick pay If your employer hasn’t given you a written statement, ask them to send you one. There might be contract terms that aren’t in your written statement but are in other documents, for example: * letters or emails sent to you before you started work * anything your employer has asked you to sign * an agreement between your employer and a trade union If you don’t have a copy of any documents, ask your employer to send them to you. It’s also worth checking documents like a staff handbook or your employer’s policies.

Key information

• how much and how often you’ll be paid
• the hours you have to work
• how much holiday you’ll get
• the rules about sick leave and sick pay
• the job advert for the role
• letters or emails sent to you before you started work
• anything your employer has asked you to sign
• an agreement between your employer and a trade union
• to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
• to take at least the minimum number of paid holiday days
• to take maternity leave and other types of parental leave
• Your employer has to give you a written statement of the main terms of your employment contract. They should give you the written statement before you start work or on your first day. It might have ‘employment contract’ as the title.

Practical guidance

• Source: Check the terms of your employment contract

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